Message from the Executive Director

Reflection on the close of another year in the life of LFFA is cause for celebration. The organization is eleven years young and has matured to a place where we have two distinct regimes: Operational and Science. The latter includes Resource Management, Stock Assessment, Habitat and Restoration, Conservation and these are now the core of our primary priorities. The state of our salmon and the current crisis are the key drivers behind this focus and is supported by our complement of biologist experts who is supported by the operational team. The organization is now in a place to be responsive to most science and technical challenges that we encounter and transform these into opportunities and projects. Our aspiration to eventually construct and deploy a Centre of Excellence is next in line, perhaps with in the next decade of LFFA.

Western Science is challenged to provide sufficient technical rationale to fully support recovery, rebuilding, and conservation measures to sustain our salmon stocks. This is challenged further with decision-making that is often driven by socioeconomics instead of conservation. Government programs such as the Species at Risk Act (SARA) and Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) are calling for the inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge, but it is uncertain how it will be incorporated into Western Science methodologies moving forward.

Lower Fraser First Nations remain hopeful that the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People Act and respective Reconciliation commitments can bridge the gap between our Indigenous world view, the laws of Canada and the Province of BC. Our LFFA Revitalizing Indigenous Law for Land, Air and Water (RELAW) project is close to producing their final report and will play a significant role in how the Nations can utilize this to implement our inherent laws in the context of current-day governance and management of fish, water, watersheds, and resources.

The sad reality is that we must recognize the salmon crisis is one that can not be addressed by any one government or Nation and that it will take full cooperation and collaboration of Canada, the Province of B.C. and First Nations to save what is left of our salmon resource for current and future generations. As we start a new fiscal year, efforts will continue to act as the convenor of Government, Stakeholders and Environmental NGOs in the Lower Fraser region. We must act immediately, unite, and implement as Letsemot – one heart and one mind.

I have had the good fortune of working with some amazing leaders and Nations during my eleven-year tenure with the LFFA organization. They have provided me with flexibility and autonomy to lead the operations based on the foundation of annual and strategic plans, and of course, sound constructive guidance and wisdom when needed. I remain inspired and motivated to work on of them, and the salmon.

With Respect and In Unity,

Murray Ned | Kwilostintun Executive Director Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance

“The sad reality is that we must recognize the salmon crisis is one that can not be addressed by any one government or Nation and that it will take full cooperation and collaboration of Canada, the Province of B.C. and First Nations to save what is left of our salmon resource for current and future generations. ”